If it's free, I'll have it.

"Let me help you up, Senor" he said

as I sprawled on the stucco pavement where I'd tripped.

"Obrigado" I replied once standing.

Then "Shit, I've broken my sandal. Bugger"  "Que?"

I limped back to the dorm with the broken flip-flop

and threw them both in the bin. "What use is one?"

I couldn't bear to buy another pair

and managed the rest of the trip with plimsolls.

"What on earth do you want that for?" she'd said.

"Well, it might have a use. You never know"

"Oh, leave it be! You're such a miserly hoarder"

(She didn't mince her words, my long dead wife.)

Back in UK while looking in my shoe drawer

I noticed the single fllip-flop that she'd seen me

pick up from the pavement years before.

And it would have been the right replacement.

Dating ?

Regular visitors to my garden

when the sun shines between the showers,

a pair of wood pigeons forage together

searching for food among the flowers.

It makes me wonder what's their connection.

Just the two of them, never with others.

Possibly an old married couple?

Or family bonded, sisters, brothers?

Or perhaps the start of a new relation?

As so often seen together lends

credence to speculation whether

it's a new romance or just good friends.

Though sexes attract

the contact is fraught;

the act is the fact

but the thrill is the thought,